Vacuum-cleaner device



' n 28 1927. s. M CLATCHIE VACUUM CLEANER DEVICE Filed April '7. 1921 19717677? 5121:156 m amz'anfe Patented June 28, 1,927. J, UNITED STATES 1,633,598 PATENT 0FFICE.-

STANLEY MGCLATCHIE, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR THE APEX ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPOTtATION Application filed April 7,

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and is more particularly concerned with that type of cleaner wherein a length of flexible hose or conduit is interposed between the portable su'ction nozzle and the vacuum producing apparatus.

When devices of this character are employed for cleaning the floor, the nozzle proper is commonly mounted at the extremity of a rigid extension tube of a length such as to permit it to be readily grasped by the hand. of the operator. This tube is provided at its upper end with means' for connecting the end of the flexible hose. When the device is in use, the angle of inclination of the tubular rod is such as to make necessary some special provision for preventing the formation of a sharp bend in the hose adjacent the point of connection of the latter, and one object ofthe present invention is to furnish improved means for connecting the hose to the rigid tube; To this end there may be provided a rigid elbow to one branch of which the end of the hose may be secured, and the other branch of which may be provided with a socket for engaging the upper end of the extension tube.

Devices of this character are employed, not only for cleaning the floor, but also for cleaning tables, bookcases and articles of furniture, and particularly upholstered ar-' ticles. For use in this manner, however, it is common to employ a suction nozzle device attached substantially directly to the end of the flexible conduit, suchnozzle being provided with a grip or holding element whereby the operator is enabled to grasp the same for manipulating it. It is evident that with this construction it is necessary for the operator in turning from one class of work to the other to change the nozzles employed. This is a frequent source of annoyance and delay, as it is necessary for the operator first to remove the extension tube and then, after securing a nozzle of the type adapted for use in cleaning upholstery and the like, to attach the latter in position at the end of the hose. It is a further object of the present invention to obviate in large measure such difliculty and annoyance and to this end it is proposed to provide a connector device, preferably such as above, referred to, with a permanently attached nozzle element which may be employed directly for cleaning upholstery and the like.- In

VACUUM-CLEANER DEVICE.

1921. Serial in. 459,354.

a preferred arrangement, this nozzle may be combined with the socket, above referred to, whereby the extension tube is secured to the connector device, so that by merely removing the tube therefrom, the nozzle is made operative for the purpose desired.

It is a well recognized fact in the cleaner artthat it is more difiicult to push the cleaner nozzle away from the operator than to draw it toward him, this being in alarge measure due to the tendency of the edge. of the cleaner nozzle to dig into the material being cleaned on the pushing stroke while gliding easily over the material on the pulling stroke. It has heretofore been proposed to provide the edge of the nozzle opening with an apron or curtain of a more or less flexible material in order to provide a-soft surface for contact with the material to be cleaned, as well as to provide for the stirring up of the dust or dirt which may be embedded to some extent in the substance of the material being cleaned. A further object of the present invention is to provide means whereby the amount of force exerted by the operator on both the pushing and pulling stroke may be substantially equalized,- and to this end advantage has been taken of the provision of such a flexible apron or ourtain by forming the same of a material whose forward portions have a lesser coefficient of friction than the rear portions thereof, and as conducive to the desired function and as illustrative of means proper for carrying out the same, it is proposed to employ a curtain whose forward surfaces, that is to say, those, which engage the arti;

cle to be cleaned during the pushing stroke,

are of material such as smooth finished leather having a relatively small coefficient of friction, while the rear surfaces thereof are formed of soft rubber or similar mate quantity clouded so quickly'as to render it useless. A further object of the resent invention is to devise and provide e cient means for indicating the passage of dust or. dirt through the cleaner duct of such a character that its indications shall be reliable even after long use, and which shall be capable of indicating the passage of even the most minute particles of solid matter. To" this end it is proposed to provide an indicator of a character such that the passage of dust or dirt through the suction conduit will produce audible sounds. In accordance with one arrangement the connector device above referred to ma be provided with a thin diaphragm of ighly resonant material such for example as spring steel. This diaphragm consists of a very thin sheet of the proper material secured in the connector device in such a position that the air current and the particles of dust or dirt carried thereby will be caused to impinge upon the inner surface of such diaphragm. Means may be provided. for tensioning the diaphragm if desired whereby to enhance its resonant qualities. The means for mounting the diaphragm may be so constructed as to permit the ready replacement thereof if the diaphragm should become ruptured or worn in use. Moreover, while preferably arranged in association with the connector device, it is clear that it might 'well' be placed at any desired point in the suction passage. i

As a preferred embodiment of means for carrying the invention into efi'ect, that disclosed in the accompanying drawingsmay be employed, and in which drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation illustrating the device of the present invention as employed for connecting a floor cleaning nozzle with" a flexible suction hose.

Fig.2 is a front end elevation. of the device of the present invention with the floor cleaning attachment removed,

Fi .3 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 2, the suction hose also ,being remove Fi 4 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle opening of the device of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 ,is a transverse vertical cross section of the device illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical crosssection of the device as shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig, 7 is a fragmentary detail view to enlarged scale illustrating the means for tensioning the diaphragm.

'Referring to Flg. 1, a floor cleaning nozzle of usual'type is indicated at 1', such noz-- zle being carried at .the end of an extension tube 2, this tube being substantially rigid and serving conveniently as a handle for manipulating the nozzle 1. A suction hose is indicated atr3, such suction hose leading from any suitable suction producing device such as a pump or the like and being secured to the tube 2 by means of the connector device a. By the em loyment of such connector device it is 0 car that a short bend in the flexible hose 3 at the point where it is connected to the tube 2 is avoided.

The connector device i comprises a pair of angularly disposed and divergent members. 5, 6, such members being tubular and .hereinafter referred to as the nozzle cham ber and having an elongated opening at its lower side, such chamber forming substantially a continuation of the portion 7 of the passage through the connector device and into which such passage merges.

The nozzle casing is preferably of substantially diamond.shape in. horizontal section, thus providing a central portion of substantial width where it merges into the connector element 5, while at the same time, and without unduly increasing the area of the nozzle opening, providing flat side faces which per- 1 mit of-the movement of its nozzle into corners or into close proximity to flat surfaces.

The lower ed e 13 of the casing 11 is provided with flexible depending aprons or curtains preferably consisting of superposed layers 14, 15-of unlike materials. These materials are so chosen that one has a substantially' higher coefficient of friction than the other and as desirable for this purpose the layerindicated at 14 may be formed of a I polished leather, while the layer indicated at ,15 may be of soft rubber or a material having similar qualities. As indicated in Fig. 4

6, that portion of the curtain which lies along the forward edge of the chamber 12,

as respects the direction of movement of the device away from the user, hasfih'e material of the lower coefficient of friction in engagement with the surface of the member 11, while the member having the higher coefficient of friction is disposed inwardly. At the opposite side however, of the chhmber 12, the arrangement of materials is revefsed,

that is, the material having the higher 'coefii l cient of friction lies against the surface 11 while the member having the lesser coefficient of friction presented toward the interior of the chamber 12. With this arrangement it is evident that the members 14 are both disposed in front of the members 15. For holding the aprons in proper position, strips being secured along the inner side ployed for retaining the aprons in position.

or lates of metal or other suitable material, its depending curtain may be employed as a in icated at 16, may be employed, such strips suction nozzle, the user grasping the conof the nector device by means of the handle poraprons by means of screws 17 or other suittion 9, it being understood that such handle able devices, sueh screws passing through portion may be considered to comprise also suitableopenings in the edges13 of the casthe portion 10. When in use, the portion 10 ing 11 and engaging threaded openings in is covered by the end of the hose 3 and the the strips 16. While this arrangement is operators hand thus grasps the portion 9 regarded as desirable, it is to be understood and also engages the outer surfaces of the that any other suitable means may be emhose 3. I By reason of the special arrangementof The portion 7 of the passagethrou-gh the the curtain whereby the rubber portion thi h h ithi the m mber 5 thereof is at the rear and the smooth portion thereof is preferably tapered inwardly and at the front, the operator is enabled to push 1 away from the chamber 12, such tapered porand pull the device over the surface to be exertion of substantially equal tion serving for the reception of the upper cleaned by the endofthe nozzle supporting extension tube force, whereas with the arrangements com- 2. Such tube may thus be inserted within monly employed the force required for push the connector device 4 and held. securely lng'the deviceforward is excessive.

therein by friction, while at the same time During the operation of the device whethit is readily removable when it is desired to er with the extension tube 2-or without the employ the nozzle comprising the member 11 same, the current of air flowing through the for cleaning elevated objects such as upholpassage in the connector device is caused to stered furniture and the like. impinge upon the inner surface of the dia- At the upper portion of the connector phragm 20, such action being accentuated device 4 and'preferably in the top of the by reason of the location of such diamember 6 adjacent the junction of the latter phragm atthe outer side of the angle with the member 5, that is to say, at a point formed in the passage. Any particles of at the outer side of the angle formed between dust or dirt carried by the air current and the members 5 and 6 there is provided an which strikes the diaphragm 20 produce an opening which is internally screw threaded audible sound whereby the operator is able as at 18. This opening prov-ides an annular to determine as to the passage of such parflange 19 for supporting the edges of a cirticles and with a little practice to estimate cular diaphragm 20. This diaphragm is very nearly as to the relative quantity of a preferably of some thin and resonantmatesuch particles "passingu He is thus enabled rial, such for example as spring steel; For to deterinifie as to whether the suction apretaining the diaphragm in-position upon the paratus is functioning properly and also as flange 19, a ring' 21 is provided, such ring to whether the dirt has been removed to the being screw threaded upon its peripheral desired extent from the article being surface for engagement with the screw cleaned. The device thus produced, not onlv threads 18 and being knurled at its edgeas ser'ves as a connector for securing together indicated at 22 for ease I of manipulations the extension tube and the flexible hose This ring is provided with a central openwithout producinga short bend in the lating 21*- giving access to the upper surface of ter, but also provides an auxiliary nozzle the diaphragm and is'preferably provided for the cleaning of upholstery and the like at a point inwardly of the edge of flange 19 and an indicating device for showing the with anupstanding rib or ,bead 23. When passage of dirt through the conduit.

the ring 21 is screwed down into engagement While as her'einabove described the diawith the upper surface of the diaphragm, the phragm is indicated as mounted in the connb 23 engages the diaphragm and serves to nector device and at an angle thereof it is tension the latter inwardly of the seat formed clear that it might well be mounted at any by the flange 19. The'resonant qualities of desired point in a suction eonduit and while Anti the diaphragm may thus be substantially certain materials have been mentioned as v ncreased. desirable and useful in,the formation of the In the normal operation of the device when apron for the nozzle, it is to be understood being employed for cleaning the floor, the exthat such materials have been named merelv tension tube 2 is inserted within the tapered as illustrative of materials suitable for this socket provided within .the member 5, and purpose and that other materials might well the operator, grasping the handle portion of be'employed having the desired characteristhe connector, may manipulate-the nozzle 1 in ticsf a the usual manner. If now it be desired to It is also to be understood that while the clean elevated surfaces such as upholstered elements of the connector device have been articles, tables, and the like, the operator disclosed as intersecting each other at a cermerely removes the tube 2 from the connec- 'tain angle, the invention is not in any mantor device, whereupon the member 11 wlth ner limited toithis exact arrangement but that such parts might be arranged at other angles as circumstances might direct. llt is furthermore clear thatwhile the extension tube 2 has been,indicated as engaging-the connector device by means of a tapered socket, other and equivalent means might be employed and also that nozzles 01 other shapes or arrangement might well be substituted for that herein shownwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Having thus described the invention in a preferred embodiment of the same, together with a preferred mode of use there of, what lclaim and desire to-secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: c 1. In vacuum cleaning apparatus, a hand nozzle formed for attachment to a hose and having an oblong inlet mouth for direct application to articles tobe cleaned, in com- .bination with a rigid hollow extension tube adapted to be secured to said first nozzle in non-leaking relation, and a suction tool carried by said extension tube, said hand nozend of a flexible suction hose and having a laterally facing inlet mouth adapted for cleaning upholstery and the like, in comination witha hollow extension handle having an elongated shank, and means for se curing said shank to said first handle in non-leaking relation, said extension handle having at its other end a nozzle adapted for cleaning floors and walls, said first inlet mouth being of substantially greater width than said shank.

4. A hand nozzle adapted for attachment to a hose and having a'rounding throat and an oblong mouth, in combination with an" extension tube having a round shank adapted to pass freely through said mouth and be secured in said throat, said tube having a suction tool at its end and saidhand nozzle constituting a handle for said extension tube and tool when the latter is in place and also being adapted for independent use when said extension tube is not attached. s

51 A connecting elbow for suction clean- I ing apparatus having one end formed for aosaaee connection to a flexible hose and the other 'also having a tapered throat adapted to receive an extension tube. f

6. A combined cleaning tool and conned tor for the purpose described comprising a hollowhandle provided at one fillll with hose attachment means and at the other end with a laterally elonga ed inletmouth adapted to be applied directly to a surface to be cleaned, the interior of said mouth being formed with a socket constructed and arganged for the vreception of an extension tn 8. 4

7. Vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising a suction ,hose, an elbow-shaped fitting secured to the end thereof and having-at one end a broadened inlet mouth adapted to be applied to the surface to be cleaned, in com- M bination with anelougated shank having a collecting nozzle at one end and means for securing the other end of said shank to said fitting in non-leaking relation.

8. A. nozzle device for use in pneumatic cleaning systems comprising an elbowed 1 connected serving automatically to ,close communirationbetween said'passage and intakeopening. y

10. nozzle device for suction cleaning apparatus comprising an elbowed casing having. a passage therethrough, one end of said casing being formed about said passage with. a substantially diamond-shaped mouth, and means whereby vair may be drawn into. 'said passage through said mouth, said passage constituting a socket adapted to receive an extension tube and the portion of said mouth in line with sai socket being free from obstructions, said casing constituting aohandle for said tube when the latter is attached thereto, and said mouth being adapted for independent use when said extension tube is notattached.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 6th day of April, 1%?21.

srannnr iuconaromn 

